Cocktails

15 Cognac Cocktails to Make at Home

Whether you prefer fruit-forward cocktails or have a warm, spicy palate, Cognac does it all. Here are the best Cognac cocktails that highlight the French brandy’s versatility. 

By 

Meyme Nakash

 |  March 4, 2025

While Cognac is traditionally sipped neat from a snifter glass, it is also a key ingredient in some of the most iconic cocktails of all time. The elegant brandy is produced exclusively in the Cognac region of France and is made of at least two different aged eaux-de-vie (you can learn more by reading our guide to what is Cognac). The result of this blending process is a complex spirit that brings nuance to mixed drinks. It also explains why the flavors and aromas of Cognacs vary by classification. For instance, the fruity and slightly spicy VS bodes well with the sweetness of iced tea. VSOP, on the other hand, showcases rich notes of oak and baking spices, making it more suitable for cozy cocktails such as a milk punch. You can also replace the base spirit of your favorite cocktails with Cognac, such as a gin-based French 75 cocktail.

If you’re looking for Cognac suggestions, check out our list of the best Cognac brands in the world. The possibilities for this rich, versatile spirit in cocktail recipes are truly endless. Whether you’re new to Cognac or simply looking for a delicious drink to make at home, you’ll adore these 15 Cognac cocktails.

The 15 Best Cognac Cocktails

Vieux Carré

In 1937, the head bartender at The Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans invented this popular Cognac cocktail. The name Vieux Carré, which translates to “old square” in French, nods to the city’s French Quarter, which is known for its lively spirit, raucous parties, and diversity. This drink is slightly sweet and herbal alongside citrus and oaky notes. To make this recipe, add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir well. Then, strain the mixture into a glass and garnish with a Maraschino cherry. 

Ingredients

¾ oz Cognac
¾ oz rye whiskey
Splash sweet vermouth
Dash Peychaud’s bitters
Dash Angostura bitters
½ tsp Benedictine liqueur
Maraschino cherry for garnish

Sazerac

Another drink with roots in New Orleans is the Sazerac. Considering the French’s influence over Louisiana at the time, this recipe originally called for Cognac. However, when the French brandy became less available in the early 19th century due to a vine crop epidemic, mixologists swapped it with rye whiskey. Today, the Sazerac is often made with both spirits, paying homage to the cocktail’s rich history. First, add the sugar cube and bitters to a cocktail shaker and then muddle until the sugar is dissolved. Second, mix in the Cognac, rye whiskey, and ice and stir until the liquid is chilled. Then, add the anise liqueur to a glass and move it around until the inside is coated. Strain the mixture into the glass and garnish with a lemon peel. 

Ingredients

1 oz Cognac
1 sugar cube
3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
1 oz rye whiskey
1 oz Pernod Anise Liqueur
Lemon peel for garnish

Classic Stinger

The Stinger is a simple yet perfect marriage of Cognac and crème de menthe. This cocktail is a fabulous digestif because mint and brandy are believed to soothe the stomach and help with digestion. For this recipe, we recommend using white crème de menthe rather than green to give the cocktail a palatable color — although green crème de menthe is fine, too. First, combine the Cognac and crème de menthe in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until the mixture is chilled and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. 

Ingredients

3 oz Cognac
1 oz white crème de menthe 

Ferrand Crusta

Brandy Crusta is a drink native to New Orleans, and this recipe is Ferrand’s rendition of it. Italian mixologist Joseph Santini invented it in the mid-1850s, and it is believed to be the first cocktail with lemon juice as an ingredient. Ferrand makes this cocktail its own by adding maraschino liqueur, enhancing the fruitiness of the Cognac. To make this cocktail, rub the rim of a glass with a lemon wedge and coat it with sugar. Then, combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain the mixture into a glass. 

Ingredients

2 oz Ferrand 1840 Original Formula Cognac
½ oz Ferrand Dry Curaçao
½ oz fresh lemon juice
¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Sidecar

A dry cocktail, the Sidecar is one of the most popular Cognac drinks. Its bright, citrus flavor profile is offset by the sweet notes of cinnamon and almond in D’Ussé VSOP Cognac. First, coat the rim of your glass with water or lemon juice, followed by sugar. Once you’ve prepared your sugared rim, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain the liquid into a glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Ingredients

2 oz  D’Ussé VSOP Cognac
1 oz orange liqueur
½ oz fresh lemon juice
Sugar and lemon peel for garnish 

Cognac Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is another iconic cocktail that is warm and refined. Ferrand’s recipe swaps whiskey or bourbon, which the recipe originally calls for, with Cognac to create an even more elegant drink. Ferrand 10 Générations Cognac is fruit-forward and floral with hints of spices, adding complexity to this otherwise simple cocktail. To make this Cognac Old Fashioned, add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and stir. Strain the liquid into a glass with one large ice cube. Express the lemon peel by twisting it over the glass, releasing its fragrant oil onto the drink’s surface, and then use it as a garnish.

Ingredients

2 oz Ferrand 10 Générations Cognac
¼ oz honey simple syrup
1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
Lemon peel for garnish 

French Connection

The French Connection is another classic cocktail inspired by Cognac’s origin. It combines Cognac and amaretto, an Italian liqueur made of either almond or apricot pits. If you prefer a more fruit-forward drink, we recommend using VS for this recipe. Otherwise, VSOP is also lovely, adding warm notes of oak and spices. First, pour the expression of your choice into a glass filled with ice. Then, add amaretto and stir gently with a bar spoon. 

Ingredients

2 oz Cognac
2 oz amaretto

Chamomilla

The sweetness of chamomile flowers mixed with the vibrant flavors of VS Cognac make the Chamomilla a spectacular summer drink. New York City-based mixologist John Ware crafted this cocktail with an eye to the soothing properties of chamomile, incorporating Cardamaro, a wine-based aperitif, to enhance the herbal quality of this drink. First, add all the ingredients except for the soda to a cocktail shaker. Then, pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice and top with soda. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon peel.

Ingredients

1¼ oz VS Cognac
1 oz Fusion Verjus Blanc
¾ oz chamomile honey
¾ oz Cardamaro
Dehydrated lemon peel for garnish 

Café Mademoiselle 

Cognac and coffee both make for a lovely digestif to savor after dinner, so why not combine them in a cocktail? The coffee liqueur in Café Mademoiselle beautifully draws out the natural nuttiness of Cognac, and the touches of raspberries and chocolate give it a dessert quality. To make this recipe, add the coffee liqueur, powdered sugar, raspberries, and cognac to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain the mixture into a glass with a fresh ice cube. Garnish with two raspberries and a square of dark chocolate.

Ingredients

1½ oz Hardy Legend 1863 Cognac
1½ oz coffee liqueur
1 tsp powdered sugar
6 raspberries
Raspberry and dark chocolate square for garnish 

Rémy Ginger

VSOP Cognac retains a rich spiciness from the French oak barrels it matured in, making it the perfect companion to ginger ale. The ingredients in this sophisticated cocktail are likely already in your pantry, making it simple to try at home. First, pour the Cognac into a glass with ice cubes. Then, top with ginger ale and two drops of Angostura bitters. Mix the ingredients with a bar spoon and garnish with a lemon wedge. 

Ingredients 

1¾ oz Rémy Martin VSOP
Ginger ale
Angostura bitters
Lemon wedge for garnish

Cognac Margarita

We all know the classic margarita as one of the best tequila cocktails. Despite their differences in flavor and aroma, Cognac is a fabulous substitute for tequila in this drink. The rich, fruity palate of Hennessy VS emboldens the cocktails’s citrus palate, making this Cognac margarita a great, elevated drink to serve at a dinner party or sip by the pool. First, dampen the rim of your glass with water and coat it with salt. Continue by adding all the ingredients into an ice-filled shaker and shake well. Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice. Finally, strain the mixture into the glass and garnish with a lime wedge. 

Ingredients

1½ oz Hennessy VS
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz orange liqueur
¼ oz agave syrup
1 lime wedge

Grand Duc

If you like cocktails on the sour side, the Grand Duc is for you. The blackberries, lime, and blackcurrant bitters in this recipe complement the fruitiness of Cognac, making this a lovely drink that’s especially refreshing during the warm seasons. It’s very simple to make. Just add all the ingredients except for the soda into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a highball glass, then top with soda. Garnish with cherries.  

Ingredients

1½ oz Hardy Legend 1863 Cognac
½ oz Supasawa or squeezed lime juice
¾ oz blackberry cream
½ oz sweet vermouth
3 dashes blackcurrant bitter
Soda water
Cherries for garnish

Cognac Mint Julep 

This cocktail is a twist on the classic Mint Julep, which is traditionally made with bourbon. Whereas bourbon brands use fermented grains to distill the spirit, Cognac producers use grapes, giving this cocktail a light, more fruity essence than the original. That said, since this recipe calls for VSOP Cognac, the warm notes of vanilla and spices that bourbon is known for are still present in this drink. First, add the mint sprigs and sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker. Second, add crushed ice and Cognac. Shake well and pour the mixture into a glass. Garnish with a mint sprig. 

Ingredients

2 oz Rémy Martin VSOP
5 mint sprigs
½ oz sugar syrup
1 mint sprig for garnish

The Grand & Ginger

Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is a rich blend of Cognac and orange liqueur. It is sweet and slightly bitter, and the bold citrus flavor of orange adds dimension to the Grand & Ginger, which calls for your choice of ginger beer or dry ginger ale. To make this recipe, add all the ingredients to a glass filled with ice. Stir the mixture using a bar spoon and add a lime wedge for garnish. 

Ingredients

1½ oz Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
3½ oz ginger beer or dry ginger ale
½ oz lime juice
Lime wedge for garnish

Hennessy Berry Mojito

If you’re a fan of berry-flavored drinks, then you’ll love this Cognac Mojito from Hennessy. It has a hint of lime, which offsets the fruitiness of Hennessy VS, and mint, which has a cooling effect. You can make this recipe with whatever berries you like, although we recommend a combination of raspberries and blackberries. To make this cocktail, add the berries, mint, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Then, add the remaining ingredients and ice and shake. Double-strain the liquid into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and berries. 

Ingredients

1½ oz Hennessy VS
½ oz fresh lime juice
5 berries
5 mint sprigs
½ oz simple syrup
Mint sprig and berries for garnish

Featured and Vieux Carré images, from Depositphotos.com

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